The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kaduna, just days after he was sentenced in absentia for the alleged diversion of over ₦33 billion.
The funds were originally earmarked for the Mambilla power project and other critical electricity schemes.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, announced the breakthrough during a media briefing in Abuja, revealing that Mamman was apprehended around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday following intensified intelligence and surveillance operations in the Rigasa area.
The arrest comes less than a week after a federal court ordered security agencies to hunt down and apprehend the former minister.
Mamman’s legal troubles escalated significantly after he was convicted on 12 counts linked to the multi-billion naira fraud. “Charges were finally filed against the former Minister in January 2025,” Olukoyede explained. “On the 7th of this month, we secured a conviction on all 12 counts. However, because the main defendant was not present, sentencing was deferred and ultimately handed down in absentia on May 13.”
During the early morning operation, the anti-graft agency also arrested two other individuals suspected of shielding the convicted felon while he evaded justice.
Olukoyede confirmed that Mamman is currently in EFCC custody, and the logistics for his transfer to a correctional facility are underway.
Furthermore, the commission disclosed that it has uncovered additional properties suspected to belong to Mamman and is actively moving to recover those assets.
Reflecting on the challenges of the manhunt, the EFCC boss admitted that the incident exposed critical gaps in handling high-profile corruption cases.
Moving forward, the commission plans to review its processes and place defendants under strict surveillance to prevent them from fleeing during trials.
Validating the successful operation, the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, stated, “The judgment was delivered, the sentence was handed down, and now we have been able to confront the convict with the sentence.”
